Alert carry

It has been suggested that Lowering weapon glitch be merged into this article or section.

The alert carry, sometimes mistakenly called "ceasing fire", "standing down", or "gun down", is a feature introduced in Halo 2 for machinima purposes, and has since appeared in Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo: Reach, Halo 4, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 5: Guardians and Halo Infinite. The feature allows gamers to holster or lower their in-game weapons; it is commonly used when making machinima. The exact execution of the alert carry has changed between games and requires different button combinations for different game controller layouts.

Halo: Combat Evolved

A player has to keep looking down while he's performing an Alert carry.

The alert carry can be performed in Halo: Combat Evolved by simply looking down. Although the player is looking at the ground, others will see their head looking forward with their arms and weapons pointed at the ground. Generally, using a Pistol or a Plasma Pistol resulted in a more relaxed effect; using a Needler or an Assault Rifle tended to bend the left arm inwards.

Halo 2

Noticing that Red vs Blue, which frequently used the alert carry effect, helped the Halo franchise, Bungie made it easier to perform the technique in Halo 2 by assigning it its own button—down on the D-Pad.

Instructions

1st person view

Unlike later titles, a weapon doesn't disappear
on the screen after performing an Alert carry.

Legs & Shadow

Version	Input Device	Combination
Original Xbox	Controller	Press "↓ D-Pad"
Vista	N/A	N/A
Halo MCC PC	Controller (Xinput)	Press "↓ D-Pad"
	Mouse and Keyboard	It's not possible to alert carry with M&K*.

What Prevents It from Working?

Game Mode

Game Mode	Original Xbox	Vista	Halo MCC PC
Campaign	Yes	N/A	Yes
Matchmaking	N/A	N/A	N/A
Custom Games	Yes	N/A	Yes

Unsupported Weapons

This section is a stub. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Action

Actions that end the alert carry mode.

Action	End the Alert Carry Mode
Melee	Always
Fire	Always
Throw Grenade	Always
Alert Carry	Always

The alert carry is shown by looking down at the player's legs, they will not be as bent as normal. Other players will see it as your weapon being lowered. Shooting, throwing grenades, meleeing, reloading, entering vehicles, dying, or pressing the D-Pad again will end the effect. On Xbox Live, the trick can also be performed by exhausting all grenades and holding L (Left Trigger).

In Halo 2, not all weapons can be put into ready position, such as dual-wield weapons, Rocket Launchers, and Energy Swords. The trick seems to work on two-handed rifle type weapons, as when the Brute Shot is lowered, but on closer inspection, the player's arm is bent slightly and the Brute Shot itself is slightly tilted.

Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST

Note: This does not work on Xbox Live due to the possibility of exploits, according to Bungie.

The Halo 3 alert carry was first performed in public by Red vs Blue cast members. In Halo 3, the feature is activated with A Button combination. The player can cease fire by pressing and holding the following in any order (different according to button layout):

Halo 3

Instructions

Version	Input Device	Combination
Xbox 360	Controller	Hold "Jump" + "Crouch" + "Reload/Swap Left Weapon" + "Action/Reload Right Weapon" + "↓ D-Pad" for 3 Seconds
Halo MCC PC	Controller (Xinput)	Hold "Jump" + "Crouch" + "Action" + "Reload" + "Reload Left Weapon" + "↓ D-Pad" for 3 Seconds
	Mouse and Keyboard	It's not possible to alert carry with M&K*.

Depending on your button layout, your layout might be…

Xbox 360

Default

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Left Bumper	Reload/Swap Left Weapon
Right Bumper	Action/Reload Right Weapon
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad

Southpaw

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Left Bumper	Reload/Swap Left Weapon
Right Bumper	Action/Reload Right Weapon
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad

Boxer

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Left Bumper	Reload/Swap Left Weapon
Right Bumper	Action/Reload Right Weapon
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad

Green Thumb

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Left Bumper	Reload/Swap Left Weapon
Right Bumper	Action/Reload Right Weapon
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad

Bumper Jumper

Button	Actions
A Buttom	Reload/Swap Left Weapon
B Buttom	Action/Reload Right Weapon
Left Bumper	Jump
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad

Walkie Talkie

Button	Actions
A Buttom	Jump
B Buttom	Action/Reload Right Weapon
X Buttom	Reload/Swap Left Weapon
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad

Halo MCC PC

Button Layout: Universal Default (Recon)
D-pad & Buttons: Default
Bumpers & Triggers: Default

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Left Bumper	Reload Left Weapon	Switch Grenades	Swap Left Weapon
Right Bumper	Action		Reload
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad	Push to Talk

Button Layout: Default
D-pad & Buttons: Default
Bumpers & Triggers: Default

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Left Bumper	Reload Left Weapon	Switch Grenades	Next Grenade	Previous Grenade	Swap Left Weapon
Right Bumper	Action				Reload
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad	Push to Talk

What prevents It from Working?

Game Mode	Xbox 360	Halo MCC PC
Campaign	N/A	Yes
Matchmaking	N/A	N/A
Custom Games	N/A	Yes
Forge	N/A	Yes

Halo 3: ODST

Instructions

Version	Input Device	Combination
Xbox 360	Controller	Hold "Jump" + "Crouch" + "Switch Grenades" + "Action/Reload Weapon" + "↓ D-Pad" for 3 Seconds
Halo MCC PC	Controller (Xinput)	Hold "Jump" + "Crouch" + "Action" + "Reload" + "Reload Left Weapon" + "↓ D-Pad" for 3 Seconds
	Mouse and Keyboard	It's not possible to alert carry with M&K*.

Depending on your button layout, your layout might be…

Xbox 360

Default

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Left Bumper	Switch Grenades
Right Bumper	Action/Reload Weapon
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad

Southpaw

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Left Bumper	Switch Grenades
Right Bumper	Action/Reload Weapon
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad

Boxer

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Left Bumper	Switch Grenades
Right Bumper	Action/Reload Weapon
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad

Green Thumb

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Left Bumper	Switch Grenades
Right Bumper	Action/Reload Weapon
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad

Bumper Jumper

Button	Actions
A Buttom	Switch Grenades
B Buttom	Action/Reload Weapon
Left Bumper	Jump
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad

Walkie Talkie

Button	Actions
A Buttom	Jump
B Buttom	Action/Reload Weapon
X Buttom	Switch Grenades
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad

Halo MCC PC

Button Layout: Universal Default (Recon)
D-pad & Buttons: Default
Bumpers & Triggers: Default

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Left Bumper	Switch Grenades
Right Bumper	Action		Reload
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad	Push to Talk

Button Layout: Default
D-pad & Buttons: Default
Bumpers & Triggers: Default

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Left Bumper	Switch Grenades	Next Grenade	Previous Grenade
Right Bumper	Action		Reload
Left Analog Click	Crouch
↓ D-Pad	Push to Talk

What prevents It from Working?

Game Mode	Xbox 360	Halo MCC PC
Campaign	N/A	Yes
Firefight	N/A	Yes

After holding the combination together for three seconds, a player will find that their weapon has disappeared off of their screen; the weapon is lowered and visible to other players. Some weapons, however, are barely or not at all affected by this trick; such weapons include the Energy Sword, Brute Shot, Gravity Hammer, Sentinel Beam, Plasma Cannon, Machine Gun Turret, and Flamethrower. The trick looks odd when performed with the Rocket Launcher, Fuel Rod Gun, Spartan Laser, and dual-wielded weapons.

The animation of the Rocket Launcher, Fuel Rod Gun, and the Spartan Laser will look similar to that of the assault rifle in Halo: Combat Evolved (unless the player uses an Elite model, then there's no change). If a player is dual-wielding, looking around will desynchronize their hands.

Shooting, throwing grenades, meleeing, going into Edit Mode on Forge, dying or re-entering the button combination will end the effect.

Halo: Reach

The alert carry option returned in Halo: Reach and was first seen being used in the Red vs. Blue Halo: Reach PSA: Deja View. The player can alert carry by pressing and holding the following in any order (different according to button layout):

Instructions

Version	Input Device	Combination
Xbox 360	Controller	Hold "Action/Reload" + "Zoom" + "Switch Grenades" + "↓ D-Pad" for 3 Seconds
Halo MCC PC	Controller (Xinput)	Hold "Action" + "Reload" + "Zoom" + "B Button" + "↓ D-Pad" for 3 Seconds
	Mouse and Keyboard	It's not possible to alert carry with M&K*.

Depending on your button layout, your layout might be…

Xbox 360

Default

Button	Actions
B Button	Switch Grenades
X Button	Action/Reload
Right Analog Click	Zoom View
↓ D-Pad	Open Mic/Regoup

Southpaw

Button	Actions
B Button	Switch Grenades
X Button	Action/Reload
Right Analog Click	Zoom View
↓ D-Pad	Open Mic/Regoup

Boxer

Button	Actions
B Button	Switch Grenades
X Button	Action/Reload
Right Analog Click	Zoom View
↓ D-Pad	Open Mic/Regoup

Green Thumb

Button	Actions
B Button	Switch Grenades
X Button	Action/Reload
Right Bumper	Zoom View
↓ D-Pad	Open Mic/Regoup

Bumper Jumper

Button	Actions
A Button	Switch Grenades
B Button	Action/Reload
Right Analog Click	Zoom View
↓ D-Pad	Open Mic/Regoup

Recon

Button	Actions
X Button	Switch Grenades
Right Bumper	Action/Reload
Right Analog Click	Zoom View
↓ D-Pad	Open Mic/Regoup

Halo MCC PC

Button Layout: Universal Default (Recon)
D-pad & Buttons: Default
Bumpers & Triggers: Default

It's not possible to alert carry with this layout because of the B Button (Melee).

Button Layout: Default
D-pad & Buttons: Default
Bumpers & Triggers: Default

Button	Actions
B Button	Switch Grenades	Next Grenade	Previous Grenade
X Button	Action		Reload
Right Analog Click	Zoom
↓ D-Pad	Push to Talk

Custom

Button	Actions
B Button	Action
Right Bumper	Zoom
↓ D-Pad	Reload		Push to Talk

This is the editor's custom layout, by the way; you can customize it however you want in MCC, unlike the Xbox 360 version.

What Prevents It from Working?

Game Mode

Game Mode	Xbox 360	Halo MCC PC
Campaign	N/A	Yes
Matchmaking	No	N/A
Custom Games	N/A	Yes
Firefight	N/A	Yes
Forge	N/A	Yes

Action

Actions that end the alert carry mode or cause the alert carry mode not to activate after the combination.

Action	Alert Carry Mode Won't Activate After the Combination	End the Alert Carry Mode
Fire	Always
Melee	Always
Throw Grenade	Always
Toggle Scoreboard	Always	Never
Use Armor Ability	Depended

Button

Buttons that cause the alert carry mode won't activate after the combination.

Input Device	Button
Controller (Xinput)	↑ D-Pad

After holding the combination together for three seconds, a player will find that their weapon has disappeared off of their screen; the weapon is lowered and visible to other players. Like in Halo 3, players will be unable to perform it on Xbox LIVE.

Unlike Halo 3, the Rocket Launcher, Fuel Rod Gun, Gravity Hammer, and the Flag will be in a resting position after using alert carrying.

Unlike previous games, when the player alert carries while holding a detached turret, the camera angle will shift a bit and the Spartan will also appear to be slightly more relaxed. It is also possible to use alert carry in the campaign.

Halo 4

Pre-release screenshots revealed that alert carry had been incorporated into Halo 4. The player can alert carry by pressing and holding the following in any order (different according to button layout):

Instructions

Version	Input Device	Combination
Xbox 360	Controller	Hold "B Button" + "Action/Reload" + "Jump" + “↓ D-Pad" for 3 Seconds
Halo MCC PC	Controller (Xinput)	Hold “Zoom” + “Action” + "Jump" + “↓ D-Pad" for 3 Seconds
	Mouse and Keyboard	Hold “Zoom” + “Action” + "Jump" + “↓ Arrow Key" for 3 Seconds

Depending on your button layout, your layout might be…

Xbox 360

Default

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
B Button	Crouch
X Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Southpaw

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
B Button	Crouch
X Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Boxer

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
B Button	Sprint
X Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Green Thumb

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
B Button	Crouch
X Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Bumper Jumper

Button	Actions
B Buttom	Action/Reload
Left Bumper	Jump
↓ D-Pad

Recon

It's not possible to alert carry with this layout because of the B Button (Melee).

Fishstick

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
B Button	Crouch
X Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Halo MCC PC

Controller (Xinput)

Button Layout: Universal Default (Recon)
D-pad & Buttons: Default
Bumpers & Triggers: Default

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Right Bumper	Action	Reload
Right Analog Click	Zoom
↓ D-Pad	Push to Talk

Button Layout: Default
D-pad & Buttons: Default
Bumpers & Triggers: Default

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
X Button	Action	Reload
Right Analog Click	Zoom
↓ D-Pad	Push to Talk

Mouse and Keyboard

Default

Key and Mouse Button	Action
Right Mouse Button	Zoom
Space Bar	Jump
↓ Arrow Key
E Key	Action

What Prevents It from Working?

Game Mode

Game Mode	Xbox 360	Halo MCC PC
Campaign	N/A	Yes
Matchmaking	N/A	N/A
Custom Games	N/A	Yes
Spartan Ops	N/A	Yes
Forge	N/A	Yes

Action

Actions that end the alert carry mode or cause the alert carry mode not to activate after the combination.

Action	Alert Carry Mode Won't Activate After the Combination	End the Alert Carry Mode
Melee	Always

Unlike other Halo games, it's possible to use a keyboard to alert carry as well as display Coordinates; it might have something to do with Ordnance Drop.

As in Halo 3 and Halo: Reach, alert carry doesn't work in Xbox Live games. Unlike the other games, alert carry only works when the player is standing still; any other movement will cancel the alert carry for as long as the player is moving. Like with Halo: Reach, alert carry is usable in the Halo 4 campaign.

Halo 2: Anniversary Multiplayer

The alert carry returns in Halo 2: Anniversary, fixing Halo 4's problem; in addition, the function can now be performed on Xbox Live. The particular combination of buttons used to enter alert carry varies depending on the selected control scheme, but corresponds to the following actions:

Instructions

Version	Input Device	Combination
PC	Controller (Xinput)	Hold “Zoom” + “Action” + "Jump" + “↓ D-Pad" for 3 Seconds
	Mouse and Keyboard	It's not possible to alert carry with M&K*.

Depending on your button layout, your layout might be…

Button Layout: Universal Default (Recon)
D-pad & Buttons: Default
Bumpers & Triggers: Default

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
Right Bumper	Action	Reload
Right Analog Click	Zoom
↓ D-Pad	Push to Talk

Button Layout: Default
D-pad & Buttons: Default
Bumpers & Triggers: Default

Button	Actions
A Button	Jump
X Button	Action	Reload
Right Analog Click	Zoom
↓ D-Pad	Push to Talk

What Prevents It from Working?

Game Mode	Halo MCC PC
Matchmaking	N/A
Custom Games	Yes
Forge	N/A

Unlike previous entries, dual-wielded weapons, the Brute Shot, and the Sentinel Beam can be alert-carried, and Elites can exclusively alert-carry the Machine Gun Turret. Additionally, simultaneously dual wielding and crouching makes the player character point their weapons upwards. Note that switching your weapon will exit the Alert Carry stance.

Halo 5: Guardians

Alert carry in Halo 5: Guardians can be achieved with the new Machinima control setting in Custom Games. When activated, Hold Reload and "down" on the D-pad. Here's an alternate instruction:

Instructions

In Halo 5: Forge (PC), there's the Lower Weapon map in the Mouse and Keyboard On-Foot binding settings menu.

Version	Input Device	Combination
Halo 5: Forge (PC)	Controller (Xinput)	Hold "Action/Reload" + “↓ D-Pad" for 3 Seconds
	Mouse and Keyboard	Hold "Machinima: Lower Weapon" for 3 Seconds

Depending on your button layout, your layout might be…

Controller (Xinput)

Default Layout

Button	Actions
X Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Southpaw

Button	Actions
X Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Boxer

Button	Actions
X Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Green Thumb

Button	Actions
X Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Bumper Jumper

Button	Actions
B Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Recon

Button	Actions
Right Bumper	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Fishstick

Button	Actions
X Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Halo 4

Button	Actions
X Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Pashooter

Button	Actions
X Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Helljumper

Button	Actions
B Button	Action/Reload
↓ D-Pad

Mouse and Keyboard

Default

Key	Action
L Key	Machinima: Lower Weapon

What Prevents It from Working?

Game Mode	Halo 5: Guardians / Halo 5: Forge
Campaign	No
Matchmaking	N/A
Custom Games	Yes & No (Yes, if "Machinima Control" is enabled in the Custom Games settings)
Warzone	N/A
Forge	Yes

Unlike Halo: Reach and Halo 4, the player cannot achieve alert carry in the campaign outside of the missions Meridian Station, Alliance, and Before the Storm. Instead, only AI-controlled Spartans can use alert carry.

Halo Infinite

To alert carry in a custom game, having Machinima Control enabled is required.

Alert carry in Halo Infinite can be enabled via the custom games settings, by turning on machinima controls. After turning it on, here's this simple instruction to alert carry:

Input Device	Combination
Controller (Xinput)	Hold "X Button" + “↓ D-Pad" for 3 Seconds
Mouse and Keyboard	It's not possible to alert carry with M&K*.

Campaign	N/A
Matchmaking	N/A
Custom Games	Yes & No (Yes, if "Machinima Control" is enabled in the Custom Games settings)
Forge	Yes

It can also be enabled using the node-graph scripting system in Forge. The node "Set Player Weapon Lowered" can be activated in the scripting system. Activating this node via the "On Player Mark" node can allow for you to activate alert carry by pressing the Mark button (Default: ↑ D-Pad on controller, or X Key on mouse and keyboard).

Note: The "Set Player Weapon Lowered" node is currently buggy, and will not always work properly.

This will only work on maps that have the "Set Player Weapon Lowered" node in the node-graph. As a result, you cannot alert carry in campaign, matchmaking or on official multiplayer maps.

Alert Carry with Mouse and Keyboard

Despite it only working for a Controller (Xinput), it's possible to alert carry with a mouse or keyboard by using an application.

Virtual Controller (Software)

Tutorials:

• Keyboard As Controller | Play Games Without Controllers | Virtual Controller
• Mouse and Keyboard as a Controller | Gaming without a Controller | Virtual Controller | Updated
• Example

Note: There are more applications that can probably work.

Trivia

• Alert carry in Halo: Combat Evolved is actually a glitch rather than a feature. The creators of Red vs. Blue exploited this glitch for their machinima. Due to the popularity of the webseries, Bungie implemented an actual alert carry feature in Halo 2 solely for machinima.
• In Halo 3, by executing this trick in Forge while Edit Mode, you can create a permanent, lasting effect. This way, the effect will last until you die. Also, if you man a turret or enter a vehicle and then get out, your weapon will appear, but it will be misplaced (this effect is most notable with the Brute Shot).
• Execute this trick in conjunction with an Energy Sword and it will disappear. See Silhouette Sword.
• In Halo 3 local Split-Screen, this trick may be a possible method to combat screenwatching due to not being able to see what weapon you have equipped, though they may still be able to see the icon for it on your HUD.
• A tip to Halo 3 machinima makers; when you want to view someone lowering their weapon, the most commonly known, and probably the easiest way to do this, is to simply reverse the footage of them raising it. However, the button combination can be performed in any order. If you're talented enough, you can "crouch" while running, which negates its effect, and hold down (A) after you have jumped. If you hold these down while puppeteering your character, and complete the combo, your character will lower their weapon while neither crouching nor jumping, giving it a smoother look. It is tricky to master though, and some find the reverse-footage method more convenient. This trick is not very effective for Elites in general, and is only really visible when the player does not move. Running will cause the weapon to appear (to other players) to lift back up again, although to the player it will appear as if the weapon is still lowered. Another, simpler method is simply to turn off the ability to crouch in a custom game.
• During an alert carry, when a player enters a vehicle and exits, the player will see in his HUD that the weapon is frozen at the highest point of being drawn and the player does not appear to breathe as during holding a weapon off of cease fire. However, it will disappear if the player swaps or switches weapons, fires his weapon, or throws a grenade.
• Using an Armor Ability while Alert-Carrying will not cancel the Alert Carry.
• In Halo: Reach, Alert-Carrying any Turret weapon while playing as an Elite results in a somewhat humorous "Hold" posture; it will appear as though your left arm is merged with your chestpiece.
• Interestingly enough, in Halo: Reach, if you Alert-Carry and enter a vehicles passenger seat, it will look like you are holding a weapon like normal. However, when you exit the seat, assuming you didn't fire while in the seat, you are still Alert-Carrying.
• If you alert carry while holding an Energy Sword in Halo: Reach, it appears to the player holding it as though the sword mostly vanished; all you will see is little crackles of electricity from where it should be. To others, though, it is still fully visible.

Gallery

• 

  Alert carry in Halo: Combat Evolved.

• 

  Alert carry, used in the machinima series Red vs. Blue in Halo 2.

• 

  A red-colored Spartan with a pistol in alert carry position in Halo 3.

• 

  Alert carry in Halo 3: ODST.

• 

  A Spartan with a lowered Assault Rifle in Halo: Reach.

• 

  An Elite with a lowered Plasma Repeater in Halo: Reach.

• 

  A Spartan with a lowered Assault Rifle, in crouched position.

• 

  A player is performing an Alert carry who also has no weapon in Halo: Reach.

• 

  A Spartan with a Heavy Machine Gun Turret, normally and in alert carry. Note the slight difference in right arm position.

• 

  Alert carry in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

• 

  Alert carry in Halo 4.

• 

  Alert carry in Halo 2: Anniversary campaign.

• 

  Two Spartan-IVs with their weapons lowered in Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer.

• 

  A Spartan on alert carry while dual wielding and crouching in Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer.

• 

  A Sangheili dual wielding with alert carry in Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer.

• 

  Alert carry in Halo 5: Guardians.

• 

  First-person view of Edward Buck holding his MA5D assault rifle in alert carry position, in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign mission Meridian Station.

• 

  Forge script enabled alert carry in Halo Infinite.

See also

• Other Hidden Combination Actions